Horizontal axis washer and squeezer extractor



July 21, 1953 Filed Aug. 20, 1949 M. w. GREEN 2,645,916

HORIZONTAL AXIS WASHER AND SQUEEZER EXTRACTOR 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

July 21, 1953 M. w. GREEN HORIZONTAL AXIS WASHER AND SQUEEZER EXTRACTOR Filed Aug. 20, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

July 21, 1953 M. w. GREEN HORIZONTAL AXIS WASHER AND SQUEEZER EXTRACTOR Filed Aug. 20, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 15 IN V EN TOR.

M. W. GREEN HORIZONTAL AXIS WASHER AND SQUEEZER EXTRACTOR Filed Aug. 20 1949 July 21, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 y 1, 1953 M. w. GREEN 2,645,916

HORIZONTAL AXIS WASHER AND SQUEEZER EXTRACTOR Filed Aug. 20, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

y 21, 1953 I M. w. GREEN I 2,645,916 I HORIZONTAL AXIS WASHER AND SQUEEZER EXTRACTOR Filed Aug. 20, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR.

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y 21, 1953 M. w. GREEN 2,645,916

HORIZONTAL AXIS WASHER AND SQUEEZER EXTRACTOR Filed Aug. 20, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 IN VEN TOR.

Patented July 21, 1953 HORIZONTAL AXIS WASHER AND SQUEEZER EXTRACTOR Maurice W. Green, South Bend, Ind., assignon'by mesne assignments, to Avco Manufacturing Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application August 20, 1949, Serial No. 111,442

1 v This invention relates to a combination washer and extractor employing a flexible container rotated as a tumble action washer and as a suc-' tion collapsed flexible wall extractor.

It is a primary object to provide a structure and mechanism which utilizes a flexible wall container both as a rotated tumble action washer and as a suction collapsed extractor.

It is a further object to provide means to support and rotate a flexible wall container in such manner as to operate both as a tumble action type washer and a suction collapsed extractor with such structure as to allow continuous rotation at a uniform speed during both washing and extraction thereby to eifect continuous agitation of the wash water during a major portion of the extraction with the result of a minimum precipitation of solids thereby minimizing the formation of scum while also effecting substantial economy in parts necessary for the manufacture of a combined washer and extractor.

It is another object to provide support for rotating and supporting a flexible wall container in such manner as to act as a tumble action washer and to provide bafile shaped regions inside said container by projections contacting the outer surface of said flexible wall.

The above and other objects of the invention will appear more fully from the following detailed description and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through the washing machine.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation, partly in section, of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a cross section through the clothescontaining cylinder with the bag in the washing position, showing the tumble action of the clothes taken along the line 33 of Figure 1. I

Fig. 4 is a cross-section taken along the same line as Fig. 3 through the clothes-containing cylinder, with the bag in squeezing or drying position.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of one of the baffles showing one methodof mounting the bag.

Figs. 6 and 7 are sections through the vacuum release and overflow valve with the solenoid removedFig. 6 being taken along the line 6- -6 of Fig. 2 and Fig. 7 being takenalong the line 'I- 'I of Fig. 6. I

Fig. 8 is a diagram of the operating cycle.

Fig. 9 is a partial section through the time control box.

Fig. 10 is a schematic wiring diagram embodying the automatic features of the invention.

13 Claims.

- able flexible material is mounted and adapted Fig. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating the path of the water during the fill periods; and

Fig. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating the path of water during the drain periods.

The machine as illustrated includes a suitable cabinet I0 surrounding a rotatable frame I I in which a collapsible liquid and airtight con tainer or bag I2 made of rubber or other suitto contain wash water and rinse water or other cleaning materials, and into which the clothes to be washed are placed.

The illustrated frame II has an end wall I3 its front wall beingformed with a large central opening closed during operation by a disk I4 rotatably mounted on a door I5 mounted on the cabinet l0, and secured in a closed position by a suitable lock IS; The disk I4 has a spherical portion I! which forms a fluid-tight seal against a lip I8 of the bag I2.

The frame II is provided with a plurality of bafiie forming members I9 extending parallel to the axis of rotation, to which the bag I2 is secured with suitable fasteners 20 (see Fig. 5 The frame I l rotates continuously at a uniform speed in the same direction. The bafile forming members I9 project to deform the bag to conform to their shape and the bag and frame rotate together, the baflie shaped regions lifting the clothes until the clothes approach a point near the top of the bag and frame whereupon they fall back into the water in the lower part of the bag thus giving the desired tumble action washing as shown in Fig. 4. The fasteners 20 secure the bag I2 to each of the baflle shaped forming members I9 r by suitable tabs 20d on the bag as shown. Fastening of the bag or container walls is thus effected at a plurality of spaced points on the periphery and between these fastenings the flexible walls are free to collapse inwardly onto the clothes as shown in Fig. 4 by reduced pressure on the interior ofthe bag I2 as will later appear. The frame II and bag I2 are mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, and to that purpose the back wall I3 of the frame is secured to a flange 2i extending radially from a sleeve 22 which is keyed to a hollow horizontal shaft 23 journaled in bearings 24. The shaft 23 is driven continuously at a substantially constant speed in one direction of rotation through a large pulley, 25 carrying V-belt 26, driven by a small pulley 21 secured to a pump shaft 28 which is in'turn driven by pulley 29 through a 'V-belt 30, driven by pulley 3I, secured to a drive shaft 32 which is driven by an electric motor 33.

The hollow center of shaft 23 forms a con- When the clothes or other material to be washed have been placed in the flexiblewall container or bag I2 through door opening |4,= I5. a.

suitable thermostatically controlled mixing valve 34 connected to hot and cold water supply lines 35 and 36, is operated by actuation of either of its solenoids 31 or 36 to supply hot or mixed water at the proper temperature through a directing tube 39 into a pipe 40 which leads into a pump 4| driven by the shaft 28. The water is then directed through a pipe 42 and through a vacuum release valve chamber 43 and thence into the hollow horizontal shaft 23 where it is directed into the flexible wall container or the bag I2. The mixing valve 34 is provided with suitable flow control means at its outlet so that a given amount of water will be supplied to the container I2 in a given period of time as a compensation for pressure differential, thereby assuring a controlled definite water level in the container I2. Soap, preferably in the form of powder, or other cleaning agent may be put into the machine through the front door I along with the dry clothes.

The vacuum release valve chamber 43 is mounted on the end of shaft 23, in such a manner as to allow free rotation of the shaft yet maintain a fluid-tight seal (see Figs. 6 and '7). The valve unit has a solenoid 44 which, when energized, raises a plunger 45 allowing a diaphragm 46 to be lifted off of its seat 41 so that the pressure inside the bag I2 can be equalized by the air entering or leaving through a port 48. Thus, when the bag I2 is filled with the required amount of water, the solenoid 44 is energized in order that air, which has been displaced by the water, can escape through the port 48. The solenoid 44 is energized during the tumble action washing operation. The valve chamber 43 is also provided with an overflow tube 49 through which any excess water or suds which may back up from the container bag I2 can be directed to a drain hose 50.

At the conclusion of the washing operation, a pair of solenoids 5| and 52 are actuated to operate a pair of three-way valves 53 and 54 which change the connections of the pump 4| in order that it will operate as a suction pump to draw water and air out of the container. The pump 4| is of a type well known in the art capable of moving both water and air. To more clearly understand the operation of solenoids 5| and 52 and valves 53 and 54, refer to Figs. 11 and 12. Fig. 11 illustrates the flow of water from the inlet valve 34, in the direction indicated by the arrows, to the container by way of directing tube 39, pipe 40, valve 53, pump 4|, valve 54 and pipe 42. Fig. 12 illustrates the flow of water and air from the container I2 in the direction indicated by arrows, with the solenoids 5| and 52 (normally spring biased towards the fill position) energized, closing off the upper portion of pipe 48, and the lower portion of pipe 42. In this position of the controls water and air is pumped out of the container I2 into a drain hose 55 by way of pipe 42, a connectingpipe 56, the valve 53, the lower portion of pipe 40, pump 4| and the valve 54 and the pressure inside the container reduced to a near vacuum.

Other means may be provided, if desired, for directing water into or out of the bag.

As the air is evacuated by action of the pump 4| from the bag I2 inside the frame II, the bag I2 begins to collapse, while still rotating, thereby drawing away from the inner periphery of the frame between baflie shaping members I9 to which it is fastened thus raising the water level inside the bag and water and air are sucked through perforations 51 formed in a spherical hub 58 fastened to shaft 23, thence into the shaft 23, and through the aforementioned drain system into the drain hose 55. The bag I2 continues to collapse as air is removed to squeeze the clothes by action of atmospheric pressure on the outside of the bag as the pressure inside is reduced by suction until a position is reached similar to that shown in Fig. 4, and a considerable amount of water has been removed from the clothes. At a reduced pressure inside container I2 of approximately 26 inches of mercury, less than atmospheric, the amount of water removed from the clothes by this type of extraction is comparable to that of an ordinary wringer.

The next step in the cycle of operations is a vacuum release period during which time the solenoid 44 on the vacuum release valve 43 is energized to raise the plunger 45 allowing air to enter from tube 49, through port 46, into shaft 23 and finally into the bag I2 to expand the flexible wall into its original position around the inner periphery of frame I I, as shown in Fig. 3.

The next step in the cycle is a short rinse period; wherein the bag I2 is filled with warm rinse water (the container rotating continuously) and the clothes are tumbled for a short time, then the water is extracted in the same manner as previously described. The complete cycle of operations illustrated in Fig. 9 contains two such rinse periods; the final one being followed by a longer extraction period in order to remove as much water from the clothes as possible.

The controls for the motor 33 and the various solenoids 31, 38, 44, 5| and 52 are arranged in a suitable control box 59 and they consist of three cams 60, BI and 62 mounted for rotation on a shaft 63 driven by an escapement 64 which in turn is driven by a timer motor 65 of the selfstarting synchronous type used in electric clocks (see Fig. 9). A control dial 63A is provided for manual advancement of the cams to any predetermined point in the cycle of operation.

Fig. 8 gives a diagram outlining in a sequence, reading counter-clockwise, the cycle in detail. The shaded portions indicate the periods of operation of the various mechanisms shown. The graduations on the outer dial indicate time in minutes, and the graduation on the inner dial represent impulses of the timer motor 65, each impulse being 5 of rotation or 25 seconds.

Fig. 10 is a wiring diagram showing the re-- lationship of the control cams to the various solenoids 31, 38, 44, 5| and 52; the timer motor 65 andthe motor 33. Each cam 60, 6|, and 62 has a spring switchmember 66, 61, and 68 respectively so positionedto either make or break a pair'of contacts 69, 10, 1|, 12 or 13. This action is accomplished by the lands or grooves on the periphery of the earns 60, 6| and 62. The operation of the various contacts is as follows: contacts 66-69 actuatethevacuuni release solenoid 44; contacts 66-10 actuate the mixed water solenoid 36; contacts 61-12 actuate the hot water solenoid 31; contacts 61-1I actuate the two drain solenoids and 52 and contacts 68-43 actuate the motor 33 and the timer motor 65.

If mixed water is'desired in the wash period, instead of hot, a selector switch 14 is bridged across the lines leading from contacts 66-10 and 61-'I2 to provide thiss'electivity. Y

It is important to note that the structure disclosed effects substantial economics over present construction of tumble action washers in that noenclosing tub is used to surround a rotating cylinder, thus eliminating the necessity for that part. Further, the continuous rotation at tumbling speed during suction extraction makes unnecessary any change speed gearing, and this continuous agitation during extraction alsoavoids the problem of scum deposit as precipitation of scum is prevented by continuous motion of the'solution.

Itis also true that water consumption economy afforded'by the geometrical advantage of a horizontal tumbling cylinder as compared with a vertical axis type of washing unit is afforded by this structure as a feature to be added to the advantages above enumerated. While one illustrative embodiment has been described in detail, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to that particular embodiment, or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

Although the invention has been described by reference to a specific disclosure it is intended that variations and modifications are intended within the scope of the following claims.

I claim: I

1. In a combined washer and extractor of the character described, a suction collapsible liquid and air tight container mounted for rotation about and with its longitudinal axis substantially inclined from the vertical thereby to operate as a tumble action washer, said container having a scalable opening in one end thereof for the insertion and removal of clothes, and mechanism for removing liquid and air from said container during the rotation thereof creating a substantial partial vacuum within said container to collapse said container on clothes contained therein to extract liquid therefrom by pressure existing outside said container walls.

2. A combined washer and extractor as in claim 1 in which the mechanism for removing liquid and air comprises a pump and a hollow shaft said hollow shaft providing support for rotating said container and serving as a conduit for removing liquid and air from said container.

3. A combined washer and extractor as in claim 1 in which mechanism mounting said container for rotation comprises a frame with projecting portions forming the periphery of said container into baffie shaped regions by contact with the outer surface thereof.

4. A combined washer and extractor as in claim 1 in which mechanism mounting said container for rotation comprises a frame with projecting portions forming the periphery of said container into bafile shaped regions by contact with the outer surface thereof for tumble action washing on rotation of said container and frame, and means for connecting said periphery to said projections leaving peripheral portions between said connections free to collapse inwardly to extract liquid on removal of air and creation of a substantial partial vacuum within said container.

5. A combined washer and extractor as in claim 1 in which control mechanism is provided to cause rotation of said container for tumble action washing with contained clothes and liq- ,6. uid, and further control mechanism operating subsequently to cause said mechanism for removal of Water and air from said container tooperate while said rotation is continued at substantially uniform speed.

6. A combined washer and extractor as in claim 1 wherein said container is provided with a plurality of inwardly extending baffle shaped projections on the periphery thereof, thereby to impart a tumble action to laundryplaced therein on rotation of said container.

7. In a washer and extractor, a frame mounted for rotation about an axis substantially inclined from the vertical, a liquid and airtight suction collapsible container carried in rotation about its longitudinal axis by said frame and adapted to contain washing liquid and clothes to be washed by tumble action on rotation of said container, portions of said frame forming projections into said container, means connecting said container to said projecting frame portions leaving saidcontainer free to collapse between said connecting means, and mechanism for removing washing liquid and air from said container thereby to collapse said container for extraction of washing liquid from contained clothes by pressure existing outside said container. 8. In a combined washer and extractor of th character described, a suction collapsible liquid and airtight container mounted for rotation about and with its longitudinal axis substantially inclined from the vertical thereby to operate as a tumble action washer, means to support said container for rotation comprising a hollow shaft having the hollow thereof extending to connect with the interior of said container, a chamber connecting with the outer end of said hollow shaft, conduit connections to said chamber, a pressure relief valve in said chamber, a pump, a water supply valve, means connecting said water supply valve and said pump to feed water to said chamber and into said container through said conduit connections and said hollow shaft, mechanism operable to connect said pump to said conduit connections and said chamber to pump water and air from said container through said hollow shaft during the rotation of said container, and mechanism to actuate said relief valve allowing air to return into said container.

9. In a washer and extractor of the character described, a suction collapsible liquid and airtight container of substantially cylindrical form and mounted for rotation about and with the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical container substantially horizontal, said cylindrical container provided with an opening at one end thereof for insertion and removal of clothes to be washed, a cover for said opening forming an airtight seal for maintaining a reduced pressure within said container, rotating support means associated with said cover, a hollow shaft affording support for the opposite end of said container and providing a conduit for supplying washing liquid into said container, and pumping means connected with said shaft for removing air and water from said contained during the rotation thereof thereby to collapse said container to extract washing liquid by pressure of outside air on said container.

10. The combination with a suction collapsible containersuitable for extracting washing liquid from clothes by removal of liquid and air therefrom causing outside existing pressure to squeeze liquid from contained clothes, of means for mounting said'container with its longitudinal axis substantially horizontal for rotation thereabout as a tumble action type washer, said means comprising a hollow shaft and a frame, said hollow shaft serving as a conduit for said removal of liquid and air from said container during the rotation thereof and said frame serving as a support for said container, and projections on said frame forming the peripheryof said container into irregular form to simultate bafiies therein and connections between said projections and said container.

11. A washing machine comprising a suction collapsible liquid and airtight container adapted to receive washing liquid and clothes to be washed, mechanism for rotating said container about and with its longitudinal axis substantially horizontal thereby to operate as a tumble action washer, and means for withdrawing liquid and air from the interior of said container during the rotation thereof to create a substantial reduction in pressure therein thereby to squeeze liquid from the contained clothes by pressure exerted against the outer surface of said container.

12. A washing machine comprising a suction collapsible liquid and airtight container adapted to receive washing liquid and clothes to be washed, mechanism for rotating said container about and with itslongitudinal axis substantially inclined from the vertical thereby to operate as a tumble action washer, a hollow support and drive shaft for rotating said container forming a conduit for carrying liquid and air to and from the interior of said container, and mechanism creating a suction on said conduit during its rotation for removing liquid and air from said container thereby to create a substantial reduction in pressure therein thereby to squeeze liquid from the contained-clothes by pressure exerted against the outer surface of said container.

13. In a combined washer and extractor of the character described, a suction collapsible liquid and airtight container mounted for rotation above and with its longitudinal axis substantially inclined from the vertical thereby to operate as a tumble action washer, mechanism for supplying and removing liquid and air to and from said container comprising a pump and a hollow shaft, said hollow shaft mounting said container for rotation and communicating with the interior of said container, and valve conduit means for selectively connecting said pump for supplying liquid to said container or for removing liquid and air from said container during the rotation thereof to collapse said flexible container for extraction of liquid by pressure existing outside said container.

MAURICE W. GREEN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,187,770 Chamberlin Jan. 23, 1940 2,265,516 Chayie Dec. 9, 1941 2,335,560 Crane Nov. 30, 1943 2,472,682 Rand June 7, 1949 

